Compact compression system with integral heat exchangers

Abstract

Apparatus for housing a rotatable component and exchanging heat and methods for manufacturing the same are disclosed. The apparatus includes a first casing and a second casing spaced apart from the first casing and defining a gap therebetween. The apparatus also includes a cooling fluid manifold coupled to a source of a cooling fluid, and a stack of plates coupled to the first and second casings and extending therebetween to fill the gap. The first and second casings and the stack of plates define at least a portion of a pressurized containment area therein. Further, the stack of plates includes a bore in which the rotatable component is received and defines process fluid flowpaths configured to direct process fluid to and / or from the rotatable component. The stack of plates is in fluid communication with the cooling fluid manifold and transfers heat from the process fluid to the cooling fluid.

Description

Background technique [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 61 / 484,775, filed May 11, 2011, which priority application is incorporated by reference in its entirety to the extent that it does not conflict with this application . [0002] Industrial gas compressors can be arranged in compression trains, which are used in a variety of industries to provide increased pressure to process fluids. Examples of such industrial applications include refineries, offshore oil production platforms, pipeline compressor stations, LNG liquefaction systems, etc. In many of these applications, space is at a premium, so there is an increasing need for more compact compression systems. The development of the "Compact Compressor" allows for a significant size reduction by combining a pressurized high speed motor and magnetic bearing system with the compressor in a single hermetic motor-compressor module. One such system is It is commercially available fro...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Although such designs offer some improvement over traditional separated element solutions, these designs generally increase the size of the compressor casing in both radial and axial directions, providing the capacity to house the heat exchanger. The extra bulk required, thus somewhat defeats the purpose of system size reduction / compact design

Also, the number of compression stages that can be used is often limited due to the size increase caused by the additional heat exchanger compounded with the size increase required for the additional stages

This usually results in a reduction in the pressure build-up capability of the entire compressor train

Further, in some cases, this integration of heat exchangers leads to a significant reduction in aerodynamic efficiency in the compressor

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